The Witches' Craft: The Roots of Witchcraft & Magical Transformation

by Raven Grimassi

Book Overview

Set foot on the well-worn path...follow the the time-honored traditions of the Craft as it was once practiced by the village witch. This meticulously researched reference guide preserves the authentic... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 073870265X
• ISBN13: 9780738702650
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.5" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The Best of the Best

A wonderful and well researched book to be kept nearby (with the rest of Grimassi's works) and read over & over. Over the last 20 years or so modern Wicca has gotten so far away from what it was originally that it is hardly recognisable. There are even people in the community who think it was invented in the 20th century, (and what they are doing probably was) but the roots of Witchcraft and the Lunar Goddess stretch back to neolithic times. R.G. takes us back to the roots and the real traditions, away from parking space angels and self-appointed authorities who tell you to put your scrying tools in the sun, to the true building blocks that will enable you to call yourself "Witch" with confidence. Tools, magic, history - it's all here, including ways to make protections and the like that are venerable and traditional - yet I've not seen them elsewhere! A book of substance and meaning - Raven has created yet another treasure, a flower blooming amid the muck of what passes for "Witchcraft" books nowadays.

The 'well-worn' path and the journey of the soul.....

In THE WITCHES' CRAFT, Raven Grimassi, a hereditary Italian witch continues to inform those who care to know about the ways of witches, Wicca, and pagans. At the time CRAFT was published, Grimassi was directing Elder of the Arician Tradition. CRAFT describes the resurgence of the `Old Ways' of Witchcraft into the modern world. Had they completely disappeared? Grimassi thinks not as he was taught a hereditary path, but whether or not you have access to hereditary material, you can find and use the well worn path of Wicca until you find your own path of heart.For those who might find the notion of Wicca or witchcraft off-putting, Grimassi raises an important point..who determines what is religion? "Mainstream" religions with numerous members can claim a secure status no matter how "wacky" their ideas might seem to the non-religious or members of competing religions. However, Wicca, the oldest of all religions is viewed by some sceptics as a recent incarnation, a fabrication, or something worse. Grimassi says no other religion is held to the standards of "purity" imposed on Wicca. And what is Wicca..nothing less than the religion of our paleolithic fore-parents who were not arrogant know-it-all moderns. Our ancient parents understood that humans must be at-one with the natural world which is a mystical place. They also understood that the path of heart illuminates this truth and provides the individual with the reason for living.Grimassi's description of the differences between the "well-worn path" taught by various religious traditions (including Wicca) and the journey of the individual as s/he follows the trajectory of her own soul-path agrees with the teaching of Joseph Campbell who wrote and spoke of the "hero's journey." Grimassi says you choose a religious tradition to get you started on the 'well worn path', however, to truly progress you must extend yourself and follow the path the hero blazed. This path is frightening as each of us believes a monster awaits us at the end of the inward exploration of our own existence. Campbell suggests and Grimassi agrees that rather than a monster, at the end of the journey the aloneness you experience will be dissolved and you will be one with the world. This at-one-ment can only be reached on the individual soul-path. Although the CRAFT is for intermediate students (parts of it may frighten the novice), I've believe Grimassi's latest book should be included among standard Wicca classics including Starhawk's SPIRAL DANCE and inspirational works by Cunningham, Valiente, and others. Grimassi does not discuss alternative Wiccan traditions in great detail in this book (see Margo Adler's DRAWING DOWN THE MOON - yes, she is the NPR reporter - and Starhawk's book to acquire this detail), however he does share information about his personal variant - `Italian witchcraft' - which he detailed in his earlier book of the same name. (Grimassi uses the term "witch" or strega - the Anglo Saxon Wicce the male ve

A Jewel

This is a meticulously researched book which attempts to preserve the authentic history and practices of Witchcraft from Ancient Times to the present. Much of Wiican Lore which has been forgotten, misplaced, or discarded is uncovered as Blessed Jewels in this Fantastic Work. World REnowned Wiccan Expert Raven Grimassi presents many aspects of Witchcraft never shared with the general public before.You will learn all the vital essential nutrients of the art of Witchcraft, as well as how to strengthen your magical power through self-discipline, patience and perseverance. Griamassi's personal correspondence with Doreen Valiente is also included in this Blessed Work.BLESSED BE.

Great History on the Craft of the Wise...

I am so glad Raven wrote this book and addresses the errors in Mr.Hutton's book (Triumph of the Moon),maybe Ms. Curott(WitchCraft) should read this book too! Raven gives facts & references about the history of Witchcraft and proves from his historical references that the Craft & Witches has been around for centuries and not just something Garner & Valiente made up.Every Witch that does not have access to a High Priestess or Coven should read this book to learn why they are doing what & why the tools of the Craft are so important, and the tenets etc.In the past,probably starting with S.Cunningham,the books on Wicca have said to do "this or that" or "use this and that" but if "this or that" does not feel right or you don't want to "use this or that" to discard it! In this book you'll read that tenets ,ways of thinking and basic elements of the Craft are there & used for a reason & to dicard them is throwing out well-worn paths our ancestors of the Craft have used for centuries.They are there for a reason!! This book gives the mentality a Witch should have,inner mechanism etc. I haven't finished the book yet but I know I'll go back & re-read it as soon as I am done.It has that much information in it!! Every Witch should have this book in their library along with "Wiccan Mysteries" and you'll have all the books that you will ever need.

A must have book!

A wonderful book from beginning to end. In the introduction Mr. Grimassi states that one of the reasons he chose to write this book was that "Many young people in the Craft community now have never heard of many things that were once the basic elements of practicing Witchcraft." Sad but true. This book has helped me fill in the gaps in my magickal training and has explained in deeper detail why I was trained to do certain things in certain ways. I am going to make it required reading for all my initiates. Thank you Mr. Grimassi!